Asia: Market for Organic Surface Active Agents 2025

Market Size for Organic Surface Active Agents in Asia

The Asian organic surface active agent market contracted modestly to $X in 2021, flattening at the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Organic Surface Active Agents in Asia

In value terms, organic surface active agent production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 3.3%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Exports in Asia

Organic surface active agent exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 16% on 2020 figures. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +68.6% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, organic surface active agent exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +77.1% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China represented the key exporter of organic surface active agents in Asia, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was near 34% of total exports in 2021. South Korea (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by India (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Singapore (X tons), Thailand (X tons) and Japan (X tons). All these countries together took near 49% share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the organic surface active agents exports, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Thailand (+8.3%), Malaysia (+7.9%), South Korea (+6.5%), India (+5.9%), Singapore (+5.0%) and Japan (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of China (+10 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of India (-1.5 p.p.), Singapore (-1.7 p.p.) and Japan (-3.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest organic surface active agent supplier in Asia, comprising 31% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +10.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+0.6% per year) and South Korea (+6.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a slight downturn. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Imports in Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of organic surface active agents were imported in Asia; increasing by 11% compared with the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, organic surface active agent imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons), distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), Indonesia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Japan (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) represented the main importers of organic surface active agents, together constituting 56% of total imports. India (X tons), Thailand (X tons), the Philippines (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to organic surface active agent imports into China stood at +3.8%. At the same time, Bangladesh (+8.7%), the Philippines (+8.2%), India (+7.8%), the United Arab Emirates (+7.4%), Pakistan (+7.2%), Indonesia (+7.0%), South Korea (+4.8%), Malaysia (+4.3%), Vietnam (+3.8%), Japan (+3.5%), Thailand (+3.2%) and Turkey (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Asia, with a CAGR of +8.7% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Turkey decreased by -1.6 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported organic surface active agents in Asia, comprising 23% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Turkey ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +3.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+1.3% per year) and Indonesia (+3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the Philippines ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform